Random Notes

I would like to thank all those visitors who have visited this blog and especially those International visitors who have emailed me with their comments and questions. Resources are few to those overseas. It is for these people that my blog exists. Oftentimes I am unable to respond to comments, but I do try to answer all questions of merit.

It is my opinion that a website should reflect the craftsmanship of its owner. Sadly that is not the case around the World Wide Web. Some sites have not been updated in months or even years. Others are badly coded and look as if they came straight out of the 1980's. A survey of the top 100 marquetry sites as indexed by Google showed very few that actually taught anything of value. It is to this end that my own website - traditionalmarquetry.com - will be completely redone with expanded features. I hope to have it available by the end of the year.

For those that want to learn marquetry I offer a few tips culled from experience and craftspeople I have talked to over the years. (1) Do not buy marquetry kits! They enable you to make a picture, but teach you next to nothing about the mechanics of marquetry. (2) All the marquetry videos I have seen show the instruction carried out on a power scrollsaw reciprocating over 400 strokes per minute. Certainly not the ideal way to learn the craft. Save your money and go on YouTube. There are several videos that show how to cut marquetry with the fretsaw. (3) The best book that is available today that will teach you the basics as well as advanced methods is "The Marquetry Manual" by William A. Lincoln. (4) Expensive lessons should be avoided unless you want to make marquetry your trade. A better option would be to attend a Woodworking Show in your area and see what it has to offer. Many marquetry clubs exhibit at these. Most offer classes for as little as the cost of materials used. (5) For specific questions join the Yahoo Marquetry Group. Many experts are ready to answer your most difficult queries. If all this fails for one reason or another email me and I will send you a 15 page pdf of "How to make marquetry pictures using the knife and fretsaw methods". Pattern is included.